I have a Tracfone - you pay about $100 for a phone and 400 minutes that you can use over the next year. You can buy more minutes as needed (at $100 for 400 minutes or a higher rate per minute for less minutes - but there's no monthly charge). I don't use it much (which is why 400 minutes/year is plenty) but it's worked most places I've tried it. I think that's more a function of the type of phone than the network, as Tracfones work on most US networks - I have a Nokia brand phone. I occasionally work long hours and drive home late at night - I feel much safer with my tiny phone in my purse.